Lock and dam



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1. J D u B 01S.A

Look amdA Dam. No. 236,488. y Patented Jan. 11, |881.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2'.

J..D-u-BOlS.

rLock and Dafm. NO. 236,488. Patentedlan. 11,1881.

.wit/eases 4 Sheets-:Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

J. Du BOIS. Look a,n`d Dam.

Pat'ented Jan. 11.1881.

(No Model.)

J. Du BOIS. Look and Dam.

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4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Patented Jan. 11,1881.

Nimah` PACYO-LITHSGRAPMER, wAsHxNmN. D C

imitan trice.,

LOCK AND DAM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No; 236,488, dated January11, 1881. Application tiled September 24, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: v

Be it known that I, JOHN DU BOIS, of Du Bois, in the county ot'Clearfield and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvementsin Locks and Dams, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of dams and gates which are made insections and raised by admitting water beneath them from the pool of thedam and lowered by permitting said water to escape. The principle haslong been known and used in tlumes for creating and letting offartificial iioods, passing logs, Src. A patent bearing date the 6th dayof July, 1880, was granted to me for an improvement in building locksand dams on the same principle for use in large streams.

The present invention is designed to remedy certain detects in the plandescribed in the patent and to materially cheapen the cost ot'construction.

Instead ot' building the lock or dam upon ways built upon the shore, asin my previous system, I now raft a portion ot' the timber that is to beused for the crib-work of the lock or dam and place thereon, at suitabledistances apart, cross-timbers, to serve as temporary supports for thean gie-irons or mud-sills employed on the base of the permanenter linalstructure in the same manner as in the former patent. The angle-irons orsills, having the fasteningbolts applied to them in a vertical position,are then laid lengthwise upon the cross-bars, which serve to give themtemporary support. A ooring of strong plank is then laid across the angle-irons or sills, a layer ot' well-seasoned boards laid upon andacross the ooring-plank, and, finally, another course of plank laid uponand across the boards, thus producing a strong and tight bottom. Thebolts, which are riveted or otherwise secured to the angle-irons, extendup ward through and above the ooring to receive and hold the timbersforming the superstructure. As soon as the ooring is completed the firstcourse of timber of the foundation or superstructure is laid thereonover and around the bolts a-ndforced down tightly and firmly in place bythe application otl nuts to the bolts. The foundation thus formed is astructure capable of sustaining the weight of the crib-work forming thebody of the main structure. I next proceed to withdraw the rafted timberfrom beneath the structure and then build the superstructure thereon inthe same, or substantially the same, manner as described in the originalpatent, after which the entire structure is loaded and set iinally andpermanently in position, this operation being also carried out in themanner stated in the previous patent. By the above method ofconstruction I save a large amount of expense as compared with myoriginal method, and also avoid the risks and dangers incident to thelaunching the immense structures from land.

J ointed gates adapted to be elevated by admittin g water beneath themhave been in use many years. The original gate of this class,

known ordinarily as the bear-trap77 gate, consisted of two sections heldby hinges at their outer ends and lapped and arranged to slide one uponthe other at the inner ends, as the latter rose and fell. This gatecould only be used in narrow chutes or iiumes, and was only used for thepurpose ot' raising artificial floods and passing logs, e., when thewater was let out ot' the pool. It possessed grave defects, as it had tobe let entirely down before logs were allowed to pass over it, onaccount of the otherwise perpendicular fall from the top of the uppersection to the surface of the lower one. In small streams and under highheads too much water was let off and the logs were thrown out upon thebanks, while at the same time the pool was exhausted with but littlebenefit.

To remedy the above defects I devised a gate for which I receivedLetters Patent bearing date September 2, 1862, No. 36,342, in which thetwo sections had their inner ends hinged together, while the outer orlower end of the lower section was hinged to the dam and the outer endot' the upper section arranged to slide on-the dam as the gate rose andfell. This answered the purpose for which it was designed by giving,under all adjust-ments, a gradual descent from its'top or highest pointdownward. On testing the gate practicallyI find that it will not answeras a dam for large streams, for the reason that the accumulation of mud,gravel, and other obstructions would in some cases prevent the movementof the IOO sliding end and in other cases subject the gate in closing tosevere and dangerous strains, causing wear and injury and necessitatingfrequent repairs. Other difficulties of minor importance not necessaryto be enumerated were also encountered.

In order to overcome all the troubles above enumerated, I now constructthe gate in three sections. The two main sections are hinged to thefoundation or dam at their outer ends, and the lower end of the uppersection lappcd over and arranged to slide upon the upper end of thelower or downstream section in substantially the same manner as in thebear-trap gate. To the lower end of the upper section I hinge the thirdsection, allowing its lower free end to overlap the lower section. Thisthird section forms an apron and produces under all adjustments anunbroken gradual descent from the top of the upper section to or overthe lower section. The third section or apron is ordinarily made of suchlength as to entirely cover the lower section when the gate is at itsgreatest elevation, and in such case the lower end ot' the apron ispermitted to slide upon the foundation, and is connected thereto bysliding joints or guides, which serve to limit the movement of the apronand prevent the gate from being raised too high. When the gate is at itshighest elevation the apron should rest firmly on top of the lowersection, so as to give the dam .increased strength at the time ofthegreatest strain. The apron, in addition to affording the gradual descentand giving the increased strength, also serves to protect the hinge ofthe lower section, and avoids all the former troubles from theaccumulation of mud, &e.

It is preferred to employ as the sliding connection of the apronT-headed bolts, or their equivalents, arranged to slidein slotted platessecured to the foundation; but any other suitable connection may beemployed.

While it is preferred tohave the apron com pletely cover the lowerhinged section of the gate, good results may be secured when the aproncovers only the upper part of said section. In the latter case the apronwill have its lower end united by sliding connections to the saidsection instead of the foundation.

In place of the eyebolts used in my previous dam to secure thehingeirod, I now employ metal blocks secured by bolts, which are pret'-erably fastened to the angleirons on the bottom, the better to unite thegates to the foundation, as hereinafter described in detail.

In constructing a lock with its two gates I now use, instead of the twoumes on opposite sides, one to admit the water to and the other todischarge it from the gates, as in my patent of July 6, 1880, a doubleiiume located on one side. The section which admits water under thegates is open at its upper end and closed at its lower end, while theone that discharges the water from beneath the gates is open at thelower and closedat the upper end. A connecting chamber or passage ismade under and across the entire iiume opposite each gate, and smallgates or wickets arranged to control and direct the course of the water,as required.

In the practical use ot' the lock it is necessary that the gates shallbe depressed beneath the level ofthe standing water, in order thatboats, dre., may pass over them. This depression of the gates may besecured by making them buoyant and l'iroviding means to force them down,or by adapting them to sink in the water and providing means fornforcing them up. In my present improved structure I make use of therstnamed plan, using chains and winding-drums, or equivalent mechanisin,actuated by means of a water-wheel, or manually, or otherwise, to compelthe descent ofthe gate beneath the water. Supplemental gates applied tothe ends of the lock to eX- clude the water during repairs may bedepressed in the same manner.

rlhe accompanying drawings fully illustrate my improved structure andthe method in which it is constructed.

Figure l is a side elevation, showing the mannerin which the structureis commenced upon the rafted timber. Fig. 2 is a top-plan View ofthesame. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view, showing the construction of theimproved gate. Fig. et is a top-plan view, showing one end of a lockwith the improved gate and ulnes therein. Fig. 5 is a longitudinalvertical section of the same on the line a' x, Fig. 4t; Fie. 6, atransverse vertical section on the liney y Fig. 4.

Referring to Figs. l and 2, XV represents the rafted floating timbersupon which the structure is commenced and temporarily sustained. Xrepresents the cross-bars or timbers laid upon the timbers YV, andsupporting the angle-irons or in ud-sills Z,which are placed thereonwith one edge extending downward at the side of the bars, as shown. Brepresents the timbers forming the base ofthe permanent structure laidupon the flooring a', which in turn rests upon the angle-irons. Yrepresents the vertical bolts secured to the angle-irons and extendingupward through the structure to tie the same together. The timbers NVand X are removed after the rst course of crib-timbers are in place.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6, A represents the formation or base ofthe lock; B, the side walls, and C the gate. The gate is clearly shownin Figs. 3, 4, and 5, in which a represents the lower section, hinged atits lower end, as shown at d, Figs. 3 and 5; b, the upper end, hinged atits lower end at e', Figs. 3 and 5, and at its upper end overlapping thelower section, and c the third section or apron, having its upper endhinged to the free end ot' section b, as shown at f, Figs. 8, 4, 5, andits lower end hinged or connected to the base by the sliding joint g 7c.lThe sliding connection IOO IOS

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consists of slotted plate g, secured to the base, and the T-ended ironsk, secured to the end of the apron and working in the plates, as shown,so as to keep the apron down in place and also limit its end motion. Theapron or section c entirely covers the section a., as shown, and whenthe gate is at its greatest elevation the two rest iirmly against eachother. The hinges which connect the sections a b to the base are clearlyshown in Fig. 3. Bearing-plates d', such as shown, each with a holethrough it, are bolted through their ends rmly to the base and the gate.Pivot-rods b are passed through and unite the plates d', and, bearingagainst the faces of the base and gate, form a water-tight packingbetween them.

In order to stiften and strengthen the apron, metal-bars m may be seatedin its surface, as represented in Figs. 3 and 5.

The means for depressing the gate beneath the water consists, as shownin Figs. 5 and 6, of chains E, secured to the under side of the gate andwinding upon a horizontal shaft, F, mounted in bearings in the base. Theshaft is provided, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6, with an operating-wheel,G, at one end. This maybe a water-wheel to be operated by the passingwater, or a gear-band or chain-wheel to connect with manual device, asteam-engine, or other motor. The sliding-section c of the main gate andthe chain used to depress the gate each serve as a connection to preventthe other sections from being carried so high as to separate atthe top.Either of said devices will alone answer the purposes named underordinary circumstances; but the two combined of course give additionalsecurity. The repairgate D, located at the end ot' the lock to excludewater therefrom when required, is hinged to the base and connected withchains and a winding-rod in the same manner as the other gate.

Passing now to the flumes which conduct the water to and from the gates,K, Figs. 4and 6, represent the inletilume, having an open upper endcommunicating with the pool above the gate and extending thencelengthwise in the lock past both of its gates and closed at the lowerend. L represents the outlet-flume, commencing at the side of theupperlock-gate, C, with a closed end. and extending thnce to the lowerend of the lock, with an open lower end. A cross channel or passage, tM, below the flames communicates with the space under or within the gateG, and also communicates by gates O and P with the inlet-flume K andoutlet-:Hume L, as clearly represented in Fi gs.4and 6. The iume-gates Oand P, commonlyknown in the art as wickets,77 are pivoted in the middleand provided each with a crank-arm,m, and rod n, by which they may beopened and closed by an attendant standing on top of the lock. Vhen thewicket O is open and wicket P closed the water will enter the flumeKfrom the pool and pass by the gate O into the transverse passage M, andthence into the space beneath the gate C, causing the same to rise. Thenwicket O is closed and wicket P opened the water will pass from beneaththe gate through the transverse passage M, beneath the wicket O, andthence upward past wicket P into the discharge-fiume L, by which itisconducted into the stream below the lock,thereby permitting the gate todescend. It' the gate is buoyant, as described, the depressing mechanismis brought into action to submerge the gate beneath the standing levelof the water in the lock.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. Theherein-described method of building and placing locks and dams,consisting in the following steps, viz: constructing a raft oftimber,building upon said raft while itis floating a base or foundationstructure adapted to oat, removing the raft from beneath the base,

building the superstructure upon the iloating base, and finally sinkingthe completed structure as a whole to its place.

2. The method of constructing dams and locks, consisting in firstprovidinga temporary float in the water, next building upon said float abase or foundation for the dam or lock adapted to float, next removingthe temporary oat, and finally building permanently upon the floatingbase the main or super structure.

3. The process of constructing the hereindescribed gate or dam,consisting in first forming a raft of timber with cross-bars thereon,

placing the angle-irons and bolts upon the said bars, placing theilooring and timbers above the angle-irons, fastening the angle-bars andparts above them together, and then withdrawing the raft-timbers andcross-bars.

4. The ilexible gate or dam, consisting of two sections hinged at theirdistant and lapped loosely at their adjacent ends, anda third sectionhinged to one of the main sections and overlying the other.

5. In combination with two hinged co-operating sections of a flexiblegate or dam, a third section or apron, hinged to the upper main sectionand overlying the lower main section, substantially as shown anddescribed.

6. A flexible water-gate or dam, adapted to rise and fall, consisting ofa single leaf or section on the upstream side and two lapped sections orleaves on the downstream side.v

7. In a water-gate or dam, the combination of two leaves or sectionshinged at their distant and lapped at their adjacent ends, and a thirdsection having one end hinged to one of the main sections and itsopposite end secured by a sliding joint or connection, substantially asdescribed and shown.

8. The combination of the sections ab, hinged at their ends and lappedone upon the other, and the apron c, hinged to section er and connectedto the base or foundation by a sliding joint.

9. In a flexible rising-and-falling gate, two gate sections or leaveshinged at their outer IOO IOS

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and lapped at their inner ends, and a oonnecgate, means for depressingthe saine beneath tion, substantially as shown, to prevent the theWater, and a Water-wheel for operating sections from rising so far as toseparate. said mechanism arranged to be operated by 10. In combinationwith the apron c, as dethe passing Water. 1 5 scribed, the T-shapedheads and slotted plates 13. The combination ofthe gate or dam, theconnecting the apron with the base of the lock. flumes K L, passage M,and gates or wickets l1. In combination with the eXible bnoy- O P.

ant gate or dam, positively-acting means, sub- JOHN DU BOIS. stantiallyas described, to depress the same Witnesses: 1o beneath the Water-level.GEO. R. VOSBURG,

12. The combination of the tiexibie buoyant l T. G. GORMLY.

